2008 Nissan Altima

Asking Price Range

Estimated MPG

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), also known as "sticker" price, is a recommended selling price that automakers give a new car that is above the invoice price paid by the dealer. It is a price that does not include any options that can be added to a particular car style. When shown as a range, the prices are starting MSRPs, without options, for multiple styles for that model.

This price range reflects for-sale prices on Cars.com for this particular make, model and year.

These city and highway gas mileage estimates are for the model's standard trim configurations. Where there are optional features, packages or equipment that result in higher gas mileage, those fuel-economy estimates are not included here.

Average Ratings

Overall

Write a Review of this Car

Write a ReviewBy writing a review you can provide valuable insights to other car shoppers.

Consumer Reviews

Sort Reviews By

1-10 of 66 reviews

A complete disaster

by Hitchhiking from Syracuse, NY | March 10, 2015

I bought the 2008 Altima when it was 3 years old and had only 18000 miles on it. In the past two years, the car has intermittently featured a vibration that makes it feel like the car is going to fly apart. The first episode took months to resolve and ran me $1500, and that wasn't the end of the story. Two months ago, it came up with a terrible wobble on acceleration. After spending another $1000, I found the car shuddering within days. Then, over the weekend, it just stopped accelerating altogether. Despite driving downhill which should guarantee acceleration with very little work, the car rode like the emergency brake was on (the brake received a repair a few months back, and it's not the problem). The transmission is shot. I need to dump the car with under 75K miles and 9 months of payments still left. Nissan has a 120,000/10 year warranty on the notoriously unreliable CVT, but I've been warned that they typically try to dodge the claim. In short, I'm out thousands of dollars because the Altima is a disaster when it comes to mechanical reliability.

Loves this Car!!

by justanothernissanlover from Connnecticut | December 2, 2014

I bought the car off lease with 29,000 miles in 2009. I now have almost 150,000 miles on it in 2014 and it's been a pleasure the whole time. Trips from MA to SC and FL, no problem. The ride is quite and comfortable. Interior controls are laid out nicely and when I'm the passenger, I can lay the seat back and sleep soundly. The paint has held up nicely. Only done oil changes, tires, and brakes. Nissan recalled it for the exhaust manifold which they replaced without a problem. My next car will be another Nissan, definitely!!

Oh dear, such a waste

by norabora from Lancaster, OH | January 29, 2014

I bought a 2008 Altima new. This was my first new car. Alas, 2008 was not a good year for Nissan in general and the Altima in particular. The ratings went down in Consumer Reports after holding steady for years as a "good buy."
The side mirrors are a menace in parking lots and narrow streets. They extend out so much I had to convert my 2-car garage into a 1 car garage, the fit was that tight. Twice I came out of a store to discover one of the mirrors hanging by it's wires. Not a pretty sight.
The handling is poor, the ride roughish and the highway noise is loud, considering the car's price.

Paint is flaking off the doors, hood, and fenders.

by Bruce1967 from Vancouver, WA | November 25, 2013

This was my wife's first new car, and she used to love it. It's had mostly dealer service and we followed the service intervals to a T. The car runs great and gets good mileage, but the paint is flaking off the hood, the rear doors, and 3 out of 4 fenders. I've never had a car with paint problems before, and certainly didn't expect it from a Nissan. They also recalled the car and replaced the exhaust manifold/catalytic converter which we had just replaced 4 months earlier. Fortunately, Nissan Consumer Affairs reimbursed us for the full cost of that work (over a $1k) and put a new one on after updating the ECM with corrected software.

More fun than I expected

by ASIS Rider from Atlanta,GA | August 19, 2013

Drove the car 87,000 miles other than regular maintenance only had to replace the battery and tires. Handling and acceleration were better than expected for a midsize 4 cylinder car. Averaged around 27 MPG in combination expressway and city traffic. Great looking car always appreciated the styling both inside and out.

Great Purchase

by chopperflyer from North Tonawanda,NY | May 13, 2013

I will be holding on to this vehicle for a while. The seats are very comfortable. The overall driving position and ergonomics are unfatiquing. The display/nav system and the cooling, radio controls work great with the above display. The premium sound sounds great.

Good car overall, but some snags

by Snadburgh GT-4 LX from Pittsburgh, PA | September 22, 2012

Overall, I love this car. The cabin is very comfortable and everything is where I think it should be. The keyless entry and start took some getting used to, but I like it (I know some think it gimmicky, but I love that I don't have to fumble in my pocket for the fob). Great for long trips as well, surprisingly quiet at highway speed for a 4 cylinder, and it accelerates and corners great.
On the minus side, the ride is very taut. And, if you live in a city that struggles to pave its roads (as I do) it can be a bit much at times. Also, under hard acceleration, the CVT transmission remains at about 5,000 RPM - where the car's most annoying harmonic is - for most of the time. Nissan could've done a better job with the interior cavities as well. The cupholders and console boxes should be lined with a softer material, as should be the walls of the box underneath the climate controls. You can hear things rattle and roll around in them, and that's annoying.

Best Car for the Price!

by Nissan Lover from Central, NY | July 31, 2012

I test drove an Acura TL, Infiniti G35, Lexus IS250, and many others before coming across a completely loaded Altima (3.5L V6, leather, navigation, Bose, backup camera, sunroof, HID headlights, etc etc). The Altima was newer with less miles and more options then those other cars and cheaper. I've had it almost 3 years now and LOVE it. I'm definitely buying a brand new 2013 Altima when I'm able to!